Album rankings and notes about same. Albums are ranked on the 4.0 scale, with some albums given additional credit as Exceptional, Essential, or Canon. Basically anything "exceptional" should be considered required listening. Anything "essential" should be in your record collection. Anything that's "canon" is foundational and really should be in your collection.
Grades are somewhat subjective but I also try to look at albums objectively. Meaning that some albums are my favorites but for possibly sentimental or subjective reasons. For example, Prison by Steven Jessie Bernstein is interesting and one of my favorites, but it's almost a curiosity rather than a prime example of musicicianship. Some albums just hit that nostalgia just right. Other albums, like The Queen is Dead (The Smiths) or Under the Pink are Essential albums that are required listening for anybody looking to understand those eras and later music, IMO.
This list is being compiled in an ad-hoc fashion as I listen to music and record thoughts on older music.
The Expression - The Expression. 79 (C+)
Downloaded this via some "rare 80s" torrents. Solid 80s content, vaguely Duran Duran-ish, would listen again. Standout track, "With Closed Eyes" -- should add that to a mix tape.
We'll Get There - Luca Benedetti. 83 (B)
Good stuff, catchy. Not quite Khruangbin-level instrumentals, though. Perfectly competent bluesy tunes that would be great live music. Standout track, "What Year is That Guitar."